As young people in Anaheim, we see firsthand how our immigrant friends, families, and neighbors live in fear due to harmful immigration enforcement policies and the lack of strong local protections. Students worry about their parents being taken from them, youth feel unsafe engaging with city services, and entire families are forced into the shadows. The absence of clear policies preventing collaboration between Anaheim law enforcement and ICE creates uncertainty and distrust, making it harder for our community to thrive.

If Anaheim fails to take bold, decisive action, youth and families will continue to suffer. Our classmates will keep wondering if their loved ones will be home when they return from school. Immigrant residents will remain afraid to report crimes, seek medical care, or participate in their own city. However, by strengthening the Welcoming City Policy, ensuring Anaheim PD does not cooperate with ICE, and increasing access to Know Your Rights resources, we can create real protections that allow our community to live without fear.

Now is the time to act. As young people, we refuse to stand by while our community is harmed by the growing anti-immigrant rhetoric in our country. Anaheim’s leaders must listen to youth voices and take immediate steps to protect immigrant residents. We are the future of this city, and we demand real action because no one should live in fear in their own home. Anaheim youth are leading this fight, and we won’t stop until our community is truly safe.

Our Demands for Anaheim City Leaders include:

• Public Commitment from City Officials: We call on all Anaheim City Council members to take a clear stance and publicly speak out in support of immigrant communities and opposition of mass deportation policies.
• Anaheim Police Department’s Non-Cooperation with ICE: The APD must issue a formal statement affirming that they will not collaborate with ICE in any capacity. (Note: Previous statements do not suffice, as they only commit to not asking immigration status but fail to explicitly reject all forms of cooperation with ICE.)
• Strengthening the Welcoming City Policy: The Anaheim City Council must enhance legal protections for immigrants in the Welcoming City Ordinance by explicitly prohibiting local law enforcement from detaining individuals for ICE or complying with federal immigration requests, clarifying that city services will not ask about immigration status, and incorporating strong language discouraging any form of collaboration with ICE.
• Improving the Welcoming City Website: The city must actively maintain its Welcoming City webpage, ensuring it includes up-to-date Know Your Rights information and community resources.
• Hosting Community Education Workshops: Anaheim must organize and host online Know Your Rights workshops or forums, providing a space for community members to ask questions and receive accurate information.